Mother Arrested Trying to Smuggle ‘Colos’ to Death Row Son in Ogun Prison

By Adebola Muili

A woman, Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle a suspected psychoactive substance into the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State, for her son, who is on death row.

Sowunmi was arrested on Friday, August 28, 2026, during routine screening at the main entrance of the custodial facility, after officers allegedly discovered a suspicious substance concealed inside a sachet of Milo beverage powder.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Ogun State Command, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Odukoya Olayinka.

According to the statement, the substance was suspected to be “Colos”, a psychoactive synthetic drug, while the intended recipient was identified as Dare Sowunmi, a death row inmate at the facility.

“At approximately 1:33 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, routine screening procedures at the facility’s main entry point led to the detection of suspicious substances believed to be the psychoactive synthetic drug commonly known as ‘Colos’, concealed within a sachet of a popular beverage powder,” the NCoS said.

The Service said the suspect, who was identified as the mother of the inmate, was immediately detained following the interception and later handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for investigation and prosecution.

The development comes shortly after the Ibara custodial centre was linked to a controversy involving a death row inmate who was reportedly found hosting TikTok livestreams from behind bars, raising questions about security and access to communication devices within the facility.

Meanwhile, the Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Abioye Kamoru Adesina, commended the officers involved in the interception for their vigilance and adherence to security protocols.

“Our custodial facilities exist to ensure public safety, reformation, and rehabilitation. We maintain an absolute zero-tolerance policy for drug trafficking or any illegal acts designed to compromise security,” Adesina was quoted as saying.

He warned that attempts to introduce contraband into custodial facilities would attract legal action.

The NCoS spokesperson also urged members of the public to respect the integrity of custodial institutions, warning that anyone found attempting to compromise security would face the full weight of the law.